This original oil painting was the first of the twin views from Loder Peak near Exshaw, Alberta. It measures 18” x 36” and is done in oil. David wrote of this scene from Loder Peak "Our view from the heights to the eastward was vast and unbounded - the eye had not strength to discriminate its termination."
Our trip up Loder Peak on May 18th, 2008 was an experience. There are lots of trails leading to the peak, but unless you know which trails evade the rock faces you’re in for a real surprise.
“Oh goody, here come some folks”, Sharon is thinking. They seem to be jogging up the trails. Quite buff looking too. Let’s follow them! Good idea at the time, until we came face to face with a solid rock wall! The buffers scurry up it as they do every day, I’m sure! The wind was howling and blowing us off our feet at every step, which made me wish we were wearing helmets. Truly a fingernail and toe gripping experience! Shredded my fingertips on the sandpaper like rock faces trying to create a cement-like grip lest I fall. I think this is where David also noted that the rocks wore out their moccasins.
Almost at the top when the wind started to moan. I got a bit freaked out. Isn't that the sound that precedes a tornado or hurricane?! Nearly got rained out close to the top. Thinking that being exposed in a lighting storm was not a good idea we had started to descend. What would be the tallest thing on this peak? US! But we took shelter on the east slope, and waited just long enough for a clearing in the sky, and Joseph lept to the top. Okay, maybe lept is the wrong word here - more like slogged to the top. He had come so far and would have kicked himself if we had headed back without pictures, and the weather cleared up. Anyway, we made it.
One can truly see the ‘waves of the ocean’ David spoke of. Undulating peaks, as far as the eye can see. Top each with a good dusting of snow and it is truly a vision.
Triumphant, we headed down. Tired and exhausted, I took the lead and followed a trail at the bottom that was longer. Oops. Joseph had to walk backwards the last hundred meters his thighs were burning.
David Thompson is sure taking us to terrific heights to capture his life’s journey on canvas. Sometimes I swear he’s with us.